What Does a Deep Clean Include?
A deep clean goes beyond the everyday tasks covered by regular cleaning and gives areas of your home more detailed attention. It can help tackle built-up dirt, grease and limescale, as well as places that may not be cleaned during a normal weekly or fortnightly visit. This guide explains what a deep clean typically includes and what you should check before booking one.
6 min read
Written by The Cleaning Site
Last updated: September 2026
In This Guide
- 1. What Is a Deep Clean?
- 2. What Does a Deep Clean Include in the Kitchen?
- 3. What Does a Deep Clean Include in the Bathroom?
- 4. Deep Cleaning Bedrooms and Living Areas
- 5. Areas Often Missed During Regular Cleaning
- 6. Compare Quotes Carefully
- 7. Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring
- 8. When Should You Book a Deep Clean?
1. What Is a Deep Clean?
A deep clean is a more thorough cleaning service than a regular weekly or fortnightly clean. It focuses not only on everyday surfaces but also on areas where dirt, dust, grease and limescale can gradually build up over time.
Regular cleaning usually concentrates on maintaining the home, with tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping and cleaning bathrooms and kitchen surfaces. A deep clean normally allows additional time for more detailed work and areas that may not be cleaned during every visit.
Exactly what is included can vary between cleaning companies, so there is no single standard deep-cleaning checklist used by everyone. Some companies offer a set package, while others tailor the service to the property and the customer’s priorities.
Before booking, ask for a clear list of the tasks included so you know exactly what will be cleaned and whether any specialist services cost extra.
2. What Does a Deep Clean Include in the Kitchen?
The kitchen is often one of the most time-consuming areas during a deep clean because grease, food residue and dirt can build up on surfaces and in areas that are not normally cleaned every week.
A kitchen deep clean may include cleaning worktops, sinks and taps, cupboard fronts, splashbacks, tiles and external appliance surfaces. Extra attention may also be given to areas around handles, switches, edges and other places where dirt can accumulate.
Depending on the service, cleaners may also clean inside cupboards, drawers, fridges or other appliances, but these tasks should not automatically be assumed to be included.
Oven cleaning is particularly important to check. Some cleaning companies include it within a deep-clean package, while others treat professional oven cleaning as a separate specialist service with an additional charge.
3. What Does a Deep Clean Include in the Bathroom?
Bathrooms often need extra attention during a deep clean because soap residue, limescale and moisture can build up around showers, baths, taps and other fittings.
A bathroom deep clean may include thoroughly cleaning toilets, basins, baths and showers, as well as taps, tiles, mirrors and other accessible surfaces. Particular attention may be given to areas where limescale or soap deposits have accumulated.
Cleaners may also spend additional time on shower screens, fittings, edges, skirting boards and areas around or behind accessible bathroom fixtures that receive less attention during regular cleaning.
Heavy limescale, mould, damaged sealant or stained grout may require specialist treatment and may not always be removable through normal cleaning. If any of these are a particular concern, mention them when requesting a quote so the cleaning company can explain what can realistically be achieved.
4. Deep Cleaning Bedrooms and Living Areas
Bedrooms and living areas may not experience the same grease or limescale as kitchens and bathrooms, but dust can gradually build up on furniture, skirting boards and less accessible surfaces.
A deep clean may include more detailed dusting of furniture and accessible surfaces, vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning skirting boards, wiping doors and frames, and paying extra attention to corners, edges and other areas that may be missed during routine cleaning.
Where furniture can be moved safely, cleaners may be able to clean underneath or behind it. However, heavy furniture is not always moved, so discuss this beforehand if there are particular areas you want cleaned.
Other tasks may include cleaning mirrors, accessible light fittings, switches, handles and internal window sills. As with every part of a deep clean, the exact tasks will depend on the cleaning company and the service you have agreed.
5. Areas Often Missed During Regular Cleaning
One of the main benefits of a deep clean is the extra attention given to areas that may not be cleaned during every regular visit. Over time, dust and dirt can build up in corners, along edges and on surfaces that are easy to overlook.
These areas may include skirting boards, door frames, switches, handles, window sills, the tops of accessible cupboards and furniture, and spaces underneath or behind items that can be moved safely.
Radiators, accessible light fittings, vents and other detailed areas may also be included, depending on the cleaning company and the service agreed.
If there are particular areas of your home that you want included, point them out when arranging the deep clean. This allows the company to estimate the time required and make sure those tasks are included in the quotation.
6. What Is Usually Not Included in a Deep Clean?
A deep clean can be very thorough, but that does not mean every possible cleaning task will automatically be included. Different companies have different packages, so it is important to check the details before booking.
Specialist services such as professional carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, external window cleaning and oven cleaning may be charged separately. Cleaning inside appliances, cupboards or drawers may also need to be specifically requested.
Cleaners may also be unable to move very heavy furniture, work at unsafe heights or deal with hazardous materials. Problems such as extensive mould, pest contamination or specialist waste may require an appropriately equipped specialist service.
Ask the cleaning company for a written checklist or description of what is included in its deep-clean service. This makes it much easier to compare quotations and prevents misunderstandings on the day.
7. How Long Does a Deep Clean Take?
The time needed for a deep clean depends on the size of the property, its condition and the number of tasks included. There is no standard number of hours that will suit every home.
A smaller, well-maintained property may take considerably less time than a large home that has not been thoroughly cleaned for some time. Kitchens and bathrooms can also require additional time where there is a significant build-up of grease or limescale.
The number of cleaners attending will affect how long the visit takes as well. A cleaning company may send two or more cleaners so the work can be completed more quickly, although the total amount of cleaning time required may be similar.
When requesting a quote, give the cleaning company an accurate description of the property and explain any areas that need particular attention. Some companies may ask questions, request photographs or arrange a visit before estimating how much time will be needed.
8. When Should You Book a Deep Clean?
A deep clean can be useful whenever your home needs more attention than a regular cleaning visit can provide. You do not necessarily need to wait until the property becomes particularly dirty.
Many people choose a deep clean several times throughout the year to tackle areas that are not normally included in their regular cleaning routine. It can also be useful before or after a special occasion, when preparing for guests or after a particularly busy period.
You may also consider a deep clean when starting a regular cleaning service. Bringing the property up to a good standard first can make it easier for weekly or fortnightly cleaning to maintain that standard afterwards.
If you are unsure whether you need a regular clean or a deep clean, explain the condition of your property and what you want to achieve when contacting a cleaning company. They should be able to recommend the most appropriate service.
Quick Checklist: Choosing a Cleaning Company
- Detailed cleaning of kitchens and bathrooms
- More attention to built-up grease and limescale
- Skirting boards, doors, frames and window sills
- Corners, edges and other often-missed areas
- Cleaning underneath or behind movable items where possible
- More detailed dusting of accessible surfaces and fittings
- Check whether ovens, carpets and internal windows are included
- Agree exactly what will be cleaned before booking
Know What to Expect from a Deep Clean
A deep clean can give your home a much more thorough clean than a regular weekly or fortnightly service, but exactly what is included will vary between cleaning companies.
Before booking, discuss the areas you want cleaned, ask what is included in the price and check whether specialist tasks such as oven cleaning, carpet cleaning or internal window cleaning cost extra. A clear checklist or written quotation can help make sure everyone understands what has been agreed.
When you’re ready to arrange professional cleaning, browse our Cleaning Guides for more helpful advice, or discover cleaning companies and services in your area.
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